Apparatus for the individual separation of folded paper articles from a stack of such articles



y 30, 1968 E. GUGGISBERG 3,394,930

APPARATUS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SEPARATION OF FOLDED PAPER ARTICLES FROM ASTACK OF SUCH ARTICLES Filed May 6, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet l .9/ 43C FIE .743C /9\ 155 s 43b 49 g 5 F luv/10132 Emi 6133355523 E. GUGGISBERG July30, 1968 APPARATUS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SEPARATION OF FOLDED PAPERARTICLES FROM A STACK OF SUCH ARTICLES 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May6,

I ah iw m m y 0, 1968 E. GUGGISBERG 3,394,930

APPARATUS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SEPARATION OF FOLDED PAPER ARTICLES FROM ASTACK OF SUCH ARTICLES Filed May 6, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 GUGGISBERG3,394,930

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United States Patent 3,394,930 APPARATUS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SEPARATIONOF FOLDED PAPER ARTICLES FROM A STACK OF SUCH ARTICLES Ernst Guggisberg,Fluh, near Oberbalm, Switzerland, assignor to Graphicart InternationaleAusrustungsgesellschaft fur graphische Kunst AG., Berne, Switzerland, acorporation of Switzerland Filed May 6, 1966, Ser. No. 548,146 Claimspriority, application Switzerland, May 12, 1965,

6,630/ 65 8 Claims. (Cl. 271-11) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improvedapparatus for separation of one article after another from a stack ofsuch articles. The apparatus is particularly applicable for high-speedseparation of a stack of paper products such as magazines, newspapersections, supplements, signatures, periodicals, and so forth. Theapparatus comprises a preferably flat stationary support having aforward edge and which supports the lowermost article of the stack atthe portion thereof remote from the fold edge of such article. Two stackguide elements are laterally arranged in spaced relation from suchforward edge of this fiat stationary support and against which thearticles of the stack bear with their fold edge. The stack guideelements and the flat stationary support cooperate with one another soas to define the compartment for the article stack. Suction meansincorporating a number of suckers are mounted for conjoint pivotalmovement about an axis located in the neighborhood of the forward edgeof the fiat stationary support, and suitable conveying means transportaway the individual paper article which has been separated from thestack. Drive means bring about rocking movement of the suction meansfrom an article-withdrawal position from which the suckers bear againstthe underface of the lowermost article of the stack into a deliveryposition in which the lowermost article is flexed into a position whereit can be seized by the aforesaid conveying means.

The present invention broadly has reference to an improved apparatus forthe reliable separation of one article after another from a stack ofsuch articles. The stack separator of the present invention hasparticular applicability for high-speed separation of a stack of paperproducts, such as magazines, newspaper sections, supplements,signatures, periodicals, and so forth. More precisely, the invention canbe used to advantage in conjunction with a high-speed stufiing machinefor stuffing newspapers with supplements or inserts, for instance anewspaper stufling machine of the type set forth in my co-pending UnitedStates application, Ser. No. 498,600, filed Oct. 20, 1965 and entitledMethod of and Apparatus for Stuffing Printed Matter with Inserts,Particularly for Stufling Newspapers and the Like. It is significant tonote, however, that the use of the inventive stack separator with such astuffing machine is merely one illustrative example of its versatility,and it is to be clearly understood that its sphere of use is not limitedto just newspaper stufling machines, rather can be employed to advantagewhenever it is desired to separate a stack of paper articles one articleafter the other.

Generally speaking, the inventive apparatus comprises a preferably flatstationary support having a forward edge 3,394,930 Patented July 30,1968 in spaced relation from such forward edge of this flat' stationarysupport and against which the articles of the stack bear with theiraforesaid fold edge. The stack guide elements and the fiat stationarysupport cooperate with one another so as to define the compartment forthe article stack. Additionally, suction means incorporating a number ofsuckers are mounted for conjoint pivotal movement about an axis locatedin the neighborhood of the forward edge of the flat stationary support,and suitable conveying means transport away the individual paper articlewhich has been separated from the stack. Moreover, drive means bringabout rocking movement of the suction means from an article-withdrawalposition from which the suckers bear against the underface of thelower-most article of the stack into a delivery position in which thelowermost article is flexed into a position where it can be seized bythe aforesaid conveying means.

Apparatuses of this and similar broad generic type are already wellknown to the art: see for instance United States Patent 1,817,701,granted Aug. 4, 1931 to W. E Molins; United States Patent 2,262,798,granted Nov. 18, 1941 to H. P. Elliott; United States Patent 2,979,329,granted Apr. 11, 1961 to J. M. Cunningham; German Patent 679,675 andSwiss Patent 396,048.

However, most of the stuffing apparatuses of the paper industry,particularly those for inserting folded paper articles for furtherhandling in machines, do not operate satisfactorily. This is apparentlyattributable to the difficulty of reliably achieving individualseparation of the articles from the stack. In the prior artconstructions it often-times occurs, depending upon the thickness andthe paper quality of the article, that either no or two or more articlesinstead of one are removed at one time. It should be apparent that suchapparatuses, if they have high-speed machines arranged before and/ orafter them, must work in the sme tempo or rhythm, and then reliably.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved apparatus for removing one article after the other reliablyand at high speed from a stack of such articles.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an improvedstack separator incorporating new and improved support means foreffectively supporting a stack of articles and ensuring for stackseparation through one article after the other.

Still a further important object of this invention has reference to animproved apparatus for individually separating paper articles from astack of such articles one after the other, such apparatus beingextremely reliable in operation, sturdy in construction, requiring verylittle maintenance and servicing, easy to adjust to handle various sizearticles and stack height, and extremely economical to manufacture.

Characteristic of the inventive apparatus of the aforementioned type isthe provision of article-corner support elements arranged diagonallydirectly beneath the aforesaid stack guide elements, and a smalldiameter support roll freely rotatable about an axis substantiallyparallel to the forward edge of the flat stationary support and disposedsubstantially centrally in front of such forward edge in a position thatonly a small portion of the support roll extends into the aforesaidstack compartment.

-FIGURE 1 is a verticalsectional viewof a preferred IIof;FIGURE 2; IFIGURE. 2 is a fragmentary, top planeview of the apparatus depicted inFIGURE 1, partly in section;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines III-III ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of apparatus ofFIGURE 1, as viewed in the direction of the arrow IV of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, sectional view showing a detail of theinventive apparatus, taken along the line V-V of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, sectional view showing 'a further detail ofsuch apparatus, taken along the line VIVI of FIGURE 4;

embodiment of inventive apparatus, taken along the line FIGURE 7 is aschematic, fragmentary, partly vertical sectional view, on an enlargedscale, showing a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, with certain ofthe mov-' able elements in a predetermined operational position; and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 showing the same elements orcomponents in a difierent operational position. Turning attention now tothe drawings, the preferred exemplary embodiment of inventive apparatusfor separating folded paper articles or the like one after the otherfrom a stack S of such articles embodies a support element or member forcarrying the stack S of such folded paper articles, for instance printedmaterial such as newspapers, pamphlets, catalogs, magazines, books,periodicals, or the like. This support member 10 is here shown -in theform of a plate connected by screws 11 or any equivalent fasteningexpedients to the flattened or bevelled portions of two spaced suportrods 12. These support rods 12 are affixed at their one respective endto a stationary side plate 13, as best shown in FIGURE 2. Also at theirother non-illustrated end they are connected with a similar side plate,which for the purpose of simplifying the drawing has been omitted.Further, such support rods 12.

carry two stiff frame members 14 laterally disposed at each side of thesupport element 10. At the front end of the apparatus these stiff framemembers 14 are rigidly interconnected by means of a carrier or supportrod 15.

Moreover, at the front of the inventive apparatus there are also locatedtwo stack guide members 16 which, when viewed from the top, aresubstantially angle-shaped. At their 'forwardmost side or leg 16a, asbest seen in FIG- URES 1 and 4, they have affixed thereto a respectiveclamping collar 17, each of which, through actuation of an associatedhand-lever screw 18, can be detachably afiixed to the carrier rod 15.This manipulation first takes place after these angle-shaped stack guideelements .16, through displacement of the clamping collars 17 alongthecarrier rod 15, are so adjusted that their rearwardly extending legs16bare capable of laterally guiding the stack S without a great deal ofplay. As best seen by inspecting FIGURES 2 and 4, the upper end of theserearwardly extending legs 16b of the stack guide elements 16 areoutwardly inclined in order to facilitate the droppingembodiment of theinvention, there are also provided pivotable supporfro'ckrs laterallyfreely rotatably mounted upon the shaft 29. For the "'rri'ost ed-gs1056f the stack support element 10, extends substantially parallel tosuch edge and over the full length thereof. This hollow shaft 20 isprovided at each end with eccentric portions 20a which are rotatably andnondisplaceably mounted by means of ball bearings 21. at the two stiffframe portions-or members 14. Forwardly extending hollow arms 22 aresecured to this hollow shaft 20 and which at their forwardmost or freeend each carry a sucker or suction cup 23. formed of rubber or. anyother suitable material. All -of..these suckers 23 are connectedduring'a part of. each:work cycle of the apparatus, to a suitablesuctionsource, for instance to-a" suction ventilator, by. means oftheir-associated hollow arm 22, the hollow 'shaft'20," a-fiexibleconduit 24 connected to such shaft, and a non-illustrated valve orsimilar air through-passage control element actuated at the proper timein relation to the operation of the apparatus.

Mechanism of .known construction is also provided in order to oscillateor rotate the hollow shaft 20 back and forth together with the hollowarms 22 and the suckers 23 in properly timed relation during theoperating cycle of the machine. Thismechanism incorporates a cam feelerarm 25 fixedly clamped upon the hollow shaft 20. As best seen byinspecting FIGUREB, this cam feeler arm 25 is subjected-to the action ofa tension spring 26 suspended at oneend at the aforesaid arm and, bymeans of a roller 25a mounted at such cam feeler arm 25, scans theprofileor contour'27a of a cam'disk 27. Cam disk 27 is fixedly seatedupon a shaft 28 which is rotatably and non-displaceably mounted in theillustrated side plate 13 as well as the other previously mentioned, yetnon-illustrated, companion side plate at the opposite end of themachine. A shaft 29 which is disposed some what more forwardly andinsubstantial parallelism with the just-considered shaft 28 is alsomounted rotatably and non-displaceably in such side plates 13.

Upon the shaft 28 there are fixedly seated in spaced relation from oneanother a number of article-removal or conveying disks 30 aswell as agear 31. The latter meshes with a gear 32 which, like a pulley disk 33which is fixedly connected for rotation withthe gear 32, is

sake of preserving clarity in illustration shaft 29 has beenconveniently omitted in FIGURE 2. A pulley belt 34 interconnects thisbelt pulley 33 with a belt pulley 35 fixedly seated upon a'drop'roll 36.Thisdrop roll 36 extends across the full width'of the apparatus and atitsj ends is rotatably mounted upon carrier arms 37 which like a camfeeler arm 38 are fixedly seated upon the shaft 29.. The last-mentionedcam feeler arm 38 carries a freely rotatably mounted roller 39 thereonby'means of which it scans the contour 40a of a cam disk 40 (FIGURE 1)which is fixedly seated upon the non-illus trated end portionof theshaft 28. h

With regard to the known portion of the operation of the apparatus itcan already be mentioned that in a first phase of each work cycle of theapparatus or each rotation of the shaft 28, the suckers 23 with theirfree marginal edges are aligned at the upper'surface of the stacksupport element 10, in other words, hear at the underface of thelowermost folded paper article E of the stack S. Itis further to bementioned that the fold edge F of each of the paper articles which formthe stack S are located forwardly in bearing contact with thetransversely.

extending legs 16aof the stack guide elements 16 and with the additionalstack guide element 19. During their downward rocking movement from theposition of FIG- URE 1' into position shown in FIGURE 7, thesesuckers 23are connected to the negative pressure or suction source and,thereforefdownwardly flex the lowermost paper article E of the stack Sabout the upper peripheral aligned with the upper surface of the supportelement and, in so doing, this shaft carries out an eccentric movementabout the center of its support bearings 21 because it is mounted withits eccentric portions 20a in these bearings 21. As a result there isachieved that upon downwardly bending or flexing the lowermost paperarticle E the stack S must not be pulled out, rather, so to speak, isrolled upon the upper surface of the shaft 20. As soon as the paperarticle E has been downwardly flexed to such an extent that it comes tobear with its marginal region or portion which is disposed in the regionof the fold line or edge F upon the circumference of the conveying orwithdrawal rollers 30, then already the drop roll 36 is subjected to theaction of nonillustrated springs and in accordance with the controlbrought about by the cam surface or profile a of the cam disk 40 pressesthis marginal region against the conveyor rollers 30 (FIGURE 7), atwhich time the connection between the suckers 23 and the suction sourceis interrupted. Due to the coaction of the conveyor rollers 30 and thedrop roll 36 the lowermost paper article E of the stack S is pulled awayfrom such stack and guided or conveyed away past the shaft 29. In thisrespect, there can also be employed band drives as an additional aidwhich, in the usual manner, possess small transport bands which passover the withdrawal rollers 30 and other rollers.

It can be easily imagined that if no special measures are undertaken,then when downwardly pivoting the hollow arms 22 with the suction cupsor suckers 23 not only the lowermost paper article E of the stack wouldbe downwardly flexed, rather other superimposed articles of the stackunder their own weight would more or less also be downwardly flexed.This has already been recognized by others who, however, have notrecognized and undertaken those special measures proposed by theinvention which ensure for a reliable single separation of one articleafter the other from the stack with a quick rhythm or tempo, and indeedeven when working with different thicknesses and paper qualities of thearticles E also guarantee for reliable separation of one article afterthe other from the stack.

According to the present invention, to such special measures therebelong two article-corner support elements '41 diagonally arrangeddirectly beneath the stack guide elements 16 across the corners and afreely rotatable, small diameter support roll 42 which is freelyrotatable about an axis disposed substantially parallel to the forwardedge 10a of the support element 10. This small diameter support roll 42is arranged intermediate the stack guide elements 16 in front of themiddle of this forward edge 10a in such a position that it only extendsinto the stack compartment with a small portion of its peripheralsurface. Such stack area or compartment is defined by the plate-likesupport element 10 and the stack guide elements 16, 19, and betweenwhich there is formed the article-discharge opening.

Preferably, these special measures also encompass support rockers orrocker arms 43 arranged laterally at both sides of the support roll 42and which possess an angle-shaped configuration and have a lower arm43a. These support rockers 43 are pivotable or rockable about an axiswhich is disposed substantially parallel to the forward edge 10a of thesupport element 10 and in front of the outer face of the upper portionof the stack guide elements '16, 19, as best shown in FIGURES l and 3.These support rockers 43 can move conjointly from a position in whichtheir lower respective arm 43a contacts by means of its curved upperedge 43b the bottom of the stack compartment (FIGURE 8), into a positionin which they do not hinder the downward flexing of the lowermostarticle E of the stack S by the suckers 23. Moreover, a drive mechanismis provided for these support rockers 43t0 be considered shortlywhich isoperatively connected with the drive arrangement 25, 26,

27 which brings about rocking of the suckers 23, so as to move thesesupport rockers 43 in the same rhythm or timed relation as the suckers23.

As best seen by inspecting FIGURES 4 and 5, the corner supports 41 eachconsist of a thin circular rod or bar rounded at its one free end andwith its other end is pressed into the bore of a carrier or support bolt44, the latter being arranged at right angles to the associated rod 41.This support or carrier bolt 44 is elevationally displaceable androtatable in a vertical bore of a bearing block 45 fixed at thelowermost region of the front face or side 16a of each stack guideelement 16. Fixation of the carrier bolt 44 in desired position isachieved by means of a threaded pin or set screw 46 for instance.

As clearly shown in FIGURE 6, the support roll 42 is mounted upon anaxle bolt 47 so as to be freely rotatable about an axis which isparallel to the front edge 10a of the support element 10 for the articlestack S. This axle bolt or pin 47 is fixed in suitable bores provided atboth legs of the bifurcated end of a carrier or support bolt 48. Thissupport bolt 48 extends perpendicular to the forward edge 10a of thesupport element 10 in a horizontal bore provided at the lower terminalportion 490 of a journal or carrier piece 49, the cylindrical part 49bof which extends upwardly through the vertical bore of a bearing memberor journal piece 50 which is affixed to the forward face of theadditional stack guide element 19 (FIGURE 4).

Carrier bolt 48 has a lengthwise extending V-notch 51 into which engagesthe pointed end of a retaining or set screw '52 provided at the terminalor end part 49a. This carrier piece or journal element 49 is fixedlyretained via its upward extending part 49b by two set screws 53 at thebearing block 50.

Upon loosening the knurled retaining screw 52 it is possible to adjustthe position of the support roll 42 in horizontal direction with respectto its spacing from the forward edge 10a of the support member 10.Moreover, upon loosening the retaining screws '53 it is possible toelevationally adjust such support roller 42 to a small degree withrespect to its elevational position. It is still to be mentioned thatthe additional stack guide element 19 does not extend with its loweredge 19a completely down to the lower limit of the stack compartment, sothat a space is provided for the support roll 42.

The geometric axis about which the support rockers 43 are rotatable, isthe geometric axis of a shaft 54 which is mounted rotatably andnon-displaceably at the upper portion of the frame elements 14. Thedownwardly depending arms 430 of the substantially angle-shaped supportrockers 43 are divided along their length and upon loosening the fixingscrews 55 can be displaced towards one another in order to render itpossible to adjust the elevational position of the horizontal arms 43a;the upper portion of each of the arms 430, as shown, embraces the shaft54 and is fixed upon the latter by means of a respective screw 56. Theupper edge 43b of each of the horizontal arms 43a is curved inlengthwise direction, particularly well shown in FIGURES 1, 7 and 8. Inthe tucked-in or upwardly rotated position of the support rockers 43 ofFIGURE 1, the highest point of such upper surface or face 43b issituated at the extension of the upper face of the support element 10.

As will be recalled, actuation of these support rockers 43 takes placein the same rhythm as the operation of the suckers 23, the arms 22 andthe shaft 20, and this is achieved by a suitable mechanism. Suchmechanism incorporates a cam disk 57 fixedly seated upon the shaft 28, aflexed cam feeler arm or lever 58 having a feeler roller 59, a tensionspring 60, a pressure spring 61, a connecting rod 62 which at its lowerend is articulated to an arm of the feeler arm or lever 58, and an arm63 fixedly clamped upon the shaft 54 and provided with an articulationportion 64 adjustably arranged at the arm 63 and with which the upperend of the connecting rod 62 is articulated."

, Each time ,when, as, previously considered, the suckers 23downwardlyflex the lowermost article E, as depicted in FIGURE 7, thecorner regions of such article E during the first phase of the downwardflexing thereof are pulled past therod-like cornensupports tl.Immediately thereafterthe latter as well as the support roll 42 supportthe thereover lying articles of the stack S, whereby the fold edge F ofsuch articles are in rolling contact with the support roll 42.,As hasbeen found by observing the entire operation with stroboscopicillumination or light the marginal article portionssituated at theregion of the fold edges F of those articles which are still located inthe stack S first move slightly downwards and then again slightlyupwards which apparently considerably co-ntributes to the fact thatthere is not erroneously downwardly fiexedin addition to the lowermostpaper article E which is directly engaged by the suckers 23still furthersuch paper articles. The portion of the stack S overlying the removalopening and which does not bear upon the support element 10, as shown inFIGURE 7, and also if observed in the direction of the arrow P of FIGURE1, is indeed slightly flexed downwards from the corner supports 41towards the center, but it is still sufiiciently supported or braced bythe support roll 42.

If the stack S is quite high the support roll 42 is not able to carryout its support function in every instance. It is for this reason thatthe support rockers 43 are provided which, as clearly shown in FIGURE 8,come into play as soon as the lowermost paper article E is moved away.When the support rockers pivot into the position shown in FIGURE 8, theyslightly lift the downward flexed portion of the stack S by means oftheir arms 43a, whereby the fold edges F bearing against the supportroll 42 of the lower group of paper articles of the stack S slightlyrotate the support roll 42 back and thereby slightly move upwards.Supporting of the folded edges F by the support roll 42 is then againcompletely ensured for carrying out the next operating or work cycle.

While there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the individual separation of folded paper articles froma stack of such articles, comprising, in combination, a fiat stationarysupport having a forward edge and supporting the lowermost article ofthe article stack at the portion thereof remote from the fold edge, twostack guide elements laterally arranged in spaced relation from saidforward edge of said flat stationary support against which the articlesof the stack bear with their fold edge, said stack. guide elementscooperating with said flat stationary support for defining a stackcompartment, suction means incorporating a number of suckers mounted forconjoint pivotable movement about an axis located in the neighborhood ofsaid forward edge of said flat stationary support, conveying means forconducting away the individual paper articles separated from the stack,drive means for rocking the suction means from an article-withdrawalposition in which the suckers bear against the underface of thelowermost article of the stack into a delivery position in which thelowermost article is flexed into a position where it is seized by saidconveying means, article-comer support elements arranged diagonallydirectly beneath said stack guide elements, a small diameter supportroll freely rotatable about an axis-substantially parallel to saidforward edge of said fiat stationary support and disposed substantiallycentrally in front of said forward edge in such a position that only asmall portion of said support roll extends into said stack compartment.

2. Apparatus for the individual separation of folded claim 1, furtherincluding support rockers located to each side of said support'roll,said support rockers having an angle-shaped configuration and each,possessing a lower arm, said support rockers being conjointly mountedfor pivotable movement about an axis substantially parallel to saidforward edge of said flat stationary support and located externally ofthe upper portion of said sta'c lr guide elements, said support rockersbeing rockable about said support rocker axis from a position in whcheach of their lower arms contacts with its upper surface the'bottom ofthe stack compartment into a position which does not 013-" struct thedownward flexing of the lowermost article of the stack by said suctionmeans, rocker drive means co operating with said suction drive means fordisplacing said support rockers in the same rhythm as said suctionmeans.

3. Apparatus for the individual separation of folded paper articles froma stack of such articles as defined in claim 1, wherein each of saidarticle-corner support elements comprises a rod member, a carrier boltdisposed at substantially right angles to said rod member for supportingone end of said rod member, stationary bearing means provided with avertical bore, said carrier bolt being elevationally displaceable androtatably mounted within said vertical bore of said bearing means.

4. Apparatus for the individual separation of folded paper articles froma stack of such. articles as defined in claim 3, wherein each of saidstack guide elements is angle-shaped and has a pair of leg portions, oneof said leg portions being substantially parallel to said forward edgeof said flat stationary support, said bearing means being mounted tosaid one leg portion of each stack guide element.

5. Apparatus for the individual separation of folded paper articles froma stack of such articles as defined in claim 4, further including astationary carrier rod mounted substantially parallel to said forwardedge and in front of said stack guide elements and above said bearingmeans, clamping means mounted to each of said stack guide elements andengageable with said carrier rod for laterally adjustably positioningsaid stack guide elements.

6. Apparatus for the individual separation of folded paper articles froma stack of such articles as defined in claim 5, further including anadditional stack guide element, clamping means carried by saidadditional stack guide element engageable with said carrier rod forflushly aligning said additional stack guide element with said one legportion of each of said angle-shaped stack guide elements.

7. Apparatus for the individual separation of folded paper articles froma stackv of such articles as defined in claim 6, further including ajournal bearing having a vertical bore arranged at the lower region ofsaid additional stack guide element, a journal element possessing ahorizontal bore and a bolt projection, said bolt projection beingretained in said vertical bore to selectively vertically position saidjournal element possessing said horizontal bore, and a support boltcarrying said support roll and being adjustably retained in saidhorizontal bore of said journal element with respect to its spacing fromsaid flat stationary support.

8. Apparatus for the individual separation of one article after theother from a stack of such articles, comprising means for retaining astack of articles and havlng an opening at one lower end thereof forremoval of one article after the other from the stack, pivotable suckermeans for downwardly flexing the lowermost artlcle of said stack in adirection out of and away from said article-removal opening, meanslocated in the region 9 stack, an adjustably positionable support rolllocated intermediate said article-corner support elements at the regionof said article-removal opening for supporting the edges of thelowermost articles of the stack extending bebetween said oppositecorners, pivotably mounted support rockers located to each side of saidsupport roll in a direction towards said article-corner support elementsand bearing against the underface of the lowermost article of saidstack, and drive means for operating said pivotable sucker means andsaid pivotably mounted sup- 10 port rockers in properly timedrelationship to one another.

References Cited 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,022,581 4/1912 Douglass271--29 1,886,102 11/1932 Jahne 271-29 1,804,611 5/1931 Halvorsen 271-2910 EDWARD A. SROKA, Primary Examiner.

